He left the restaurant and headed down the street towards the local gym. He had barely gone a couple of blocks when he heard a noise behind him. He turned around just in time to see a man wearing a mask running out of the bank he had just passed. He caught the guy by surprise and hit him with a shoulder block that sent him flying out into the street, Right in the path of a delivery van. The van hit the guy before he even knew what happened. Money flew everywhere as bystanders scrambled to pick up what they could and put it in their pockets. The bank robber was in the street laying in a pool of blood as sirens could be heard in the distance. Death Merchant turned back the way he was headed and never looked back.


When he walked into the gym the place was packed. Bodybuilders everywhere toning up and pushing for just that little bit extra that will take them over the edge. Anything to be just a split second quicker or just a little bit stronger. He passed by all of the machines and headed straight to the back. There it was in a little room of it's own. The free-weight area. What was once the greatest way to get into shape was now a forgotten memory. Everyone wanted the next best thing, They had to use what was popular even if it was second rate. He preferred the free-weights and knew they gave him a much better definition than any machine could.


He sat down on the bench and worked his way under the cradle . He positioned himself just right, Placed his hands in just the right position and slowly began to lift the weights from the cradle. He could feel the burn immediately as he began tearing down the muscles and rebuilding them. He brought the bar down to just above his chest and jerked the bar back up. He held it steady above his chest and slowly brought the weight back down before jerking it back up quickly and replacing it on the cradle. He repeated this ten times before finally stopping for a break. He had just finished taking a drink of water from the canteen he had brought with him when a man approached him and began to speak.


Chad Crisp
Death Merchant, Man is that you? I haven't seen you in years.


He immediately recognized the face and a huge smile crossed his face.


Death Merchant
Chad Crisp, Good to see you again! You still making the circuit?


Chad Crisp
Nah man, I haven't wrestled for a while. I've been so busy with my bodybuilding and having fun. I still miss the ring sometimes but my days are over. What brings you this way? Wait, Don't tell me your wrestling for that XWF organization? How did you square that deal?


Death Merchant
You know me man. I go where the best are! I don't mess around with any of the small time players who just want to run you into the ground. I had a friend on the inside who let me know about the organization and I couldn't resist!


Chad Crisp
What a break that was. I hear that's where all of the competition is headed. I work the bodybuilding circuit now and a lot of them talk about the XWF. They still talk about Shane and his peanuts.


Death Merchant
Yeah, Shane may be a little bit out there but so are the rest of us so we fit right in. The guy runs a tight ship you might say. He doesn't put up with any BS and lets you know it.


Chad Crisp
If I wasn't retired I sure would love trying my trade there. I can't take the chance though because I was in so many X-Treme matches and if I have one more concussion it would do some serious damage. I mean, Serious. So I stay where there is a little less contact. Here it's you and the weights.


Death Merchant
You always have been into the bodybuilding. Hell, You got me started in it. $h!t I was nothing but a fat brawler before we worked together. That was a lot of years ago.


Chad Crisp
Yeah, It's good to see you keep at it. Hell I'm 52 and still in damn good shape. I am training three youngsters now who lets say look more like Adrian Adonis than Adonis. Let's just say the heaviest thing they ever lifted was a doughnut. I told one of them he'd make a perfect cop.


Death Merchant
Still the same old Chad. You staying in town for the Warfare Show? It's going to be a good one.


Chad Crisp
I'd love to but the group is pulling out tonight and heading for a Bodybuilding Extravaganza they have going on in Chicago. We're heading to the Cub game for a few laughs first.


Death Merchant
Be sure to take a book to read because it could get pretty boring. The new Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz is pretty awesome!


Chad Crisp
I'll have to keep that in mind. I will definitely catch a show though the next time we are close. I'll give you my cell number so you can keep in touch. Who are you going to be facing?


Death Merchant
I'm in a Tag Team match with Matt Ward to go against Alaxandra Callaway and Christine Nash. Should be a pretty tough match up. Nothing we can't handle though. Matt is a lot like me in that ring. He takes no prisoners and likes to hurt people. I'm even considering adding him to the Angels of Death. Kind of as an outside supporter so to speak. The guy has some talent. Whoever wins this match becomes the number one contender for the Tag Team Championship currently held by Mystica and Elisha. Another tough team. I told you the competition here was the best around. These people are just like me, They don't play around when it comes to taking care of business!


Chad Crisp
Wish I could stay and see that one. Have some fun and holler at me. If nothing else I will have to catch the thing on video. Later Bro.


The two exchanged numbers and went their separate ways. Death Merchant continued his workout. After about an hour and a half more he decided to call it a day. He always felt better after putting himself through such a vigorous workout. After arriving back at his hotel he decided to swim a few laps in the pool to stretch the muscles he had been working on, Giving him the extra flexibility that made him just a little bit quicker.


After Showering he left the pool area and was heading up to his room when Steve Sayors stepped off the elevator. Quickly noticing who it was Sayors rushed up to him and had a microphone in his face so fast it would make your head spin.


Steve Sayors
Death Merchant, The whole buzz around the locker rooms is that you and the Angels of Death are the hottest thing going! Your merchandise has been flying off the shelves as fast as they put it out! How do you feel about going against two females?


Death Merchant
Hell, Isn't that every man's dream? Seriously though, Are you some kind of sexist or something? I look at it just like I do any other match. That isn't a female over there and that isn't a male. It's a wrestler and it's someone that I have to beat. I will do everything I am physically capable of doing to make that happen!


Steve Sayors
You will be teaming with Matt Ward. The two of you have never teamed up before. Is that going to mess you up in the ring?


Death Merchant
Take a look into these eyes. Do you really know who in the hell you are talking to? I'm the guy who takes X-Treme to the next level. I'm the guy putting it all on the line and do you know why?


Steve Sayors begins to answer Death Merchants question when he is rudely interrupted.


Death Merchant
Hell no you don't know why. You run around in your fancy suit riding our coattails like some B!tc#! I'm the guy with nothing to lose because I just don't give a $h!t!


Steve Sayors
You didn't have to be so rude.


Death Merchant
Rude you little $h!t is you running over here and throwing that camera in my face. How about if I take it and shove it straight up your nostrils so you can take a look at how small your brain really is!


Steve Sayors
One of your opponents is Alexandra Callaway. Who is also a member of the Angels of Death. Will that cause you to hold back just a little bit?


Death Merchant
Oh wow! Really? Were you even paying attention to what I just told you? I also asked Christine Nash to join because she fits right in but they are just two more opponents that we have to go through and that's it! The same as I was wrestling anyone else. I'm out there for one reason and that is to come out with the victory. I give everything I have and if it's enough then I will move on to the next level. If it's not, Next week I go back out there and do the same thing all over again. You see, I don't know the word quit! I will fight until I can't fight anymore. I hope both of them bring their A Game because they are going to need it!


Steve Sayors
Do you think that Matt Ward will be able to carry the load and give that little extra that it might take?


Death Merchant
Your just full of stupid questions aren't you? This dude is just like myself. He gives it everything he has and doesn't give a damn about anything but taking care of business. Why would I ask someone who doesn't give their all to be a part of the AoD? Each and every member is one of the elite. We can wrestle you move for move or we can get down and dirty. However you want to play it! When you step up against the Angels of Death your stepping up against the best. Warfare will be no different whe Matt Ward and I become the number one contenders for the Tag Team Champion. Then Mystica and Elisha better know we are coming for those titles!


Steve Sayors
Are you perhaps thinking too far ahead? You have to get past two very tough opponents first.


Death Merchant
You know what Steve? That is the last question because if you ask another stupid one I am going to snap! Listen close! I take EVERY match one at a time and stay completely focused on my opponents. That doesn't mean I can't send out a little message now does it? Don't even answer because every word that comes out of your mouth is nothing but garbage. Your so stupid I don't know how in the hell you keep your job. I'm ready, My partner is ready. And when we step into that ring it's all about taking care of business! Now get out of my face before I lose it!


Death Merchant finally makes it to the elevator and up to his room. After taking a nice hot shower and grabbing a bite to eat he decided to rest up a little before taking care of what he had to do later.



To be continued..........